What does Tekla mean and where does it come from?
Tekla is derived from the Greek name Thecla (Θέκλα) and has been widely used in Sweden and Greece. The name gained significant historical recognition thanks to Saint Thecla, an early female Christian martyr and companion of Saint Paul. Tekla has maintained a steady use in parts of Europe, being cele
Cultural significance
Tekla has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Sweden-speaking communities, where it reflects values of god's glory.
Peak popularity
Reached #1145 in 1889 — currently #13442 in the US.
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Related Reading
Sweden-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →How else can you spell Tekla?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Tekla?
Tekla works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Tekla Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Tekla Rose
Floral · soft ending
Tekla Mae
Sweet · timeless
Tekla Claire
French influence · crisp
Tekla Jane
Literary · strong
Tekla Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Tekla right now?
Falling — down 2375 spots — currently #13442 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2022 | #13442 | 7 | ▼ down 2375 · -22% births |
| 2021 | #11067 | 9 | ▲ up 3976 · +80% births |
| 2020 | #15043 | 5 | ▼ down 481 · -17% births |
| 2005 | #14562 | 6 | ▲ up 537 · +20% births |
| 2000 | #15099 | 5 | ▼ down 4337 |
| 1985 | #10762 | 5 | ▼ down 5196 · -50% births |
| 1975 | #5566 | 10 | ▼ down 1085 · +11% births |
| 1960 | #4481 | 9 | ▲ up 1466 · +80% births |
| 1955 | #5947 | 5 | ▼ down 1304 |
| 1930 | #4643 | 5 | ▼ down 998 · -37% births |
| 1920 | #3645 | 8 | ▼ down 1219 · -33% births |
| 1915 | #2426 | 12 | ▲ up 80 · +140% births |
| 1910 | #2506 | 5 | ▼ down 1115 · -29% births |
| 1895 | #1391 | 7 | ▲ up 89 · +40% births |
| 1890 | #1480 | 5 | — |
The story of Tekla
Tekla has been a beloved American name for over 135 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1889. With 445 total births recorded, Tekla remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #1480 in 1890, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #13442 in 2022.
Names that peaked alongside Tekla in 1889:
Tekla by decade
Tekla peaked in the 1880s. See all 1880s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1880s | 7 | |
| 1890s | 44 | |
| 1900s | 18 | |
| 1910s ★ | 103 | |
| 1920s | 31 | |
| 1930s | 17 | |
| 1940s | 48 | |
| 1950s | 21 | |
| 1960s | 43 | |
| 1970s | 39 | |
| 1980s | 33 | |
| 1990s | 5 | |
| 2000s | 19 | |
| 2010s | 12 | |
| 2020s | 5 | |
💎Tekla has only 445 total recorded births since 1889 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Tekla?
What names sound and feel like Tekla?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Tekla also consider these
How is Tekla written in other languages?
Common questions about the name Tekla
What does the name Tekla mean?
Tekla means "God's glory" — a name rooted in Sweden tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Tekla?
Tekla is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Tekla have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Tekla?
Tekla originates from Sweden tradition. Sweden names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Tekla?
Tekla is a two-syllable name pronounced T EH1 K L AA1. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
Is Tekla trending right now?
Tekla is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.